A Southampton taxi driver and lifelong Saints fan has urged people not to ignore bowel cancer screening after discovering he had a tumour the size of a tennis ball.
Perry McMillan, 67, is facing months of treatment after being diagnosed with bowel cancer, which he believes could have been detected earlier had he taken an NHS screening test.
The union representative admitted he had ignored the faecal immunochemical test (FIT), which checks a small stool sample for tiny amounts of blood that could indicate cancer or polyps.
He said: "Unfortunately, I, like many men and women over 60, didn't take the FIT test sent by the NHS. In my case, I was too squeamish and just didn't bother with it."
It was only after his wife, Karen, insisted he visit his GP that he took the test, having noticed changes in his bowel movements.
Perry said: "It turns out the tumour is the size of a tennis ball and I've had cancer for a year without realising."
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He is now preparing for 12 weeks of chemotherapy, including four infusions at Hamwic House at Southampton General Hospital, alongside eight tablets a day between treatments.
He will then undergo five weeks of radiotherapy in the hope of removing the 7cm tumour, followed by a possible operation.
Perry believes earlier investigation could have made a significant difference.
He added: "It's very likely that, had I undergone a colonoscopy, the polyp which became a tumour could have been removed there and then, preventing the tumour from developing.
"My simple message is: don't be squeamish or put off - take the test.
"Finally, the staff at Southampton General Hospital are absolutely fantastic.
"I have undergone a colonoscopy, an MRI scan, CT and PET scans to identify my bowel cancer. Thank goodness for our wonderful NHS."
Although the cancer is advanced, Perry said it remains localised and treatable.
Perry said his wife, sons, wider family, taxi colleagues and customers have all supported him.
He added: "Together we will fight this because I've still got a lot of campaigning to do and life to live."
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